Sustainability is no longer a side project for Romanian companies. It is shaping strategy, access to capital, and competitiveness. In this episode of Perspectives in Business, Codruț Nicolau, founder of Sustain Future, looks at the real state of sustainability in Romania in 2026.

We discuss what is moving, what is stuck, and why many companies still treat sustainability as reporting instead of business transformation.

We cover: The current state of sustainability in Romania; the main barriers stopping companies from implementing it for real; how banks and finance are helping, or slowing, the transition.

Which industries are advancing fastest, and which are lagging. Practical steps Romanian companies should prioritize in the next 2–3 years. What Sustain Future does, and how leaders can start. If you work in business, finance, or sustainability in Romania or across Europe, this conversation is a clear-eyed look at both the opportunity and the cost of waiting.

Una de las preguntas más presentes en el mundo empresarial de 2026: ¿están muertos el ESG y la sostenibilidad corporativa, o simplemente están hibernando? Después del auge de finales de la década de 2010 y principios de la de 2020, el ESG recibió un fuerte contragolpe político y mediático, especialmente en Estados Unidos. Muchas empresas redujeron el volumen de su discurso "verde" y adoptaron el greenhushing: siguen avanzando en sostenibilidad, pero de forma más silenciosa y pragmática. Cómo las compañías están dejando atrás el acrónimo ESG y el marketing performativo para enfocarse en riesgos reales, la resiliencia, la eficiencia operativa y la gestión responsable. ¿Es el final de una era o solo una pausa para madurar?

I sat down with Arsen Nazaryan, an ESG and risk management expert, to discuss the current state of ESG in Armenia, where we stand today, what real progress looks like, and why ESG is rapidly evolving from a "nice-to-have" into a strategic necessity. In this conversation, we cover: The actual development of ESG frameworks in Armenia. Key pillars and local challenges.

Whether Armenian companies are leading or just responding to international pressure, the most important mindset shift businesses need to make. Why ESG today is really about risk mitigation and adaptive capacity.

If you're doing business in Armenia, the South Caucasus, or emerging markets, this episode is packed with practical insights.